Philosophy of Leadership

The Importance of a Philosophy of Leadership

Jesus has given His church the responsibility to carry out the work of the ministry within the church (Ephesians 4:11-16), and in the world (Matthew 28:18-20), through the leading and empowering of the Holy Spirit (Acts 1:8). Because we as leaders are called to manage the household of God (1 Timothy 3:5), those leaders who do not manage certain things in ministry, are ultimately being disobedient to God, and neglecting the people God has called them to serve.

In order to accomplish this mission from God, we have been given spiritual gifts (1 Corinthians 12:11, 18), that we are called to use (Romans 12:6), in order to develop and build one another up (1 Peter 4:10), as we fruitfully endeavor (John 15:16), to do the work of the ministry for the glory of God (1 Peter 4:11). Because we have been given such an incredible responsibility from God (John 21:15-17), we must be diligent in how we approach this enormous task (1 Corinthians 10:31), so that the ministries God has entrusted to His people are not derailed due to mismanagement, or lack of care (cf. Colossians 4:17). This is why I believe it is crucial that every leader develop a sound philosophy of leadership, which will guide a leader in their relationships with those who look to them for leadership and direction.

I believe the following best describes my approach to leadership.

THEOLOGICALLY: God is in charge of the Church

The starting point for my Philosophy of Leadership is that God is in charge of the church, and therefore, everything we do in ministry and in life, must be in submission to that. The Bible is clear that Jesus is the Chief Shepherd (1 Peter 5:4), the one who is in charge of the church (Colossians 1:18), and has been given all authority in heaven and on earth (Matthew 28:18). The Holy Spirit is the one who empowers (Acts 1:8), and leads the church (1 Corinthians 12:13), and all that we do as individual members and as a body corporately, is for God’s glory and not our own (1 Peter 4:11). 

PRACTICAL MINISTRY: We must Respond to God's Calling as Leaders, and Lead!

1. We have been called to a TEAM (1 Corinthians 12:1-31)

The Bible is clear that we are the Body of Christ, and we have been called to function with our individual gifts (1 Corinthians 12:27), as part of the greater body of believers, so that all will profit from our ministry to the body (1 Corinthians 12:7).

I believe team environments are the healthiest culture for ministry leadership, where members of the team are all operating in their strengths and talents. I am a firm believer in this type of ministry dynamic, as it is healthy for the team, the body, and I believe this is how God designed us to operate in order to be most effective for His people (1 Peter 4:10-11), and as His people (1 Corinthians 12:18). I also believe as we operate in our area of giftedness that God has designed us with, we will experience the greatest sense of fulfillment in our lives (Ephesians 2:10), and He will bear the most fruit through our lives (Matthew 25:14-23; John 15:16). 

2. We have been called to walk in HUMILITY (Philippians 2:1-8)

Humility is key to serving in the ministry. In fact, this is one of the main requirements God has for those who walk with Him (Micah 6:8). Jesus alludes to this very fact when He invites all of us to, “Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls” (Matthew 11:28-29)

Jesus tells us that when we come to Him, we are supposed to learn from Him. What is it that we are supposed to learn? We are to learn how to be gentle, and how to be lowly at heart, or in other words, we are supposed to be learning how to walk humbly with Him. Before a person is ever called into the ministry, they must first have proven they have spent time learning to live with humility, by spending time with Jesus (cf. Philippians 2:1-8). This is paramount to serving God and others if we want to be used by God (cf. 1 Peter 5:5-6).

3. We have been called to be SERVANT-LEADERS (Mark 10:42-45)

​Jesus has called His followers to be servants (Mark 10:42-45), and therefore the church leadership must be shining examples to the Body of Christ, and to the community it ministers to, as to what a servant-leader is supposed to look like (Hebrews 13:7). This has got to be one of the key marks in each person’s life, if they are to fruitfully serve the Lord, and grow as Christians.

4. We have been called to OPERATE in our GIFT-mix (Matthew 25:14-30)

​I believe it is essential that we are operating in our area of giftedness. God has given each of us specific and purposeful gifts (1 Corinthians 12:7, 11), and we are required to operate in our area of giftedness (Romans 12:6). 

​​​Our spiritual gifts are the key to fulfilling God’s purpose for our life here on earth (Ephesians 2:10), and are the tools that God has given to us so that we can serve one another (1 Peter 4:10), bring Him glory (1 Peter 4:11), and build up the Kingdom of God on earth (Ephesians 4:11-16). This is why it is so crucial that we are operating in our area of giftedness.

I appreciate what Reggie McNeal says in his book, Practicing Greatness, when he points out that we will not be held accountable to Jesus for those things we are not talented in, but for the things we have received talents for (Matthew 25:14-30). He points out that one of the important truths about great leaders is that they know what they bring to the table (and what they don't), and this gives them permission to be intentional with their energies and time, always playing toward their talent. They do not practice wishful thinking when it comes to their abilities. They know their depth and take assignments that they can genuinely address with their skills and gifts. (Reggie McNeal, Practicing Greatness, p.26). As a leader for God, this is the desired outcome for everyone I have influence over (including myself).

5. We have been called to OWN our ministry (Philippians 3:12)

In his letter to the Philippians, Paul says, “Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect...” This is a wonderful encouragement to us, in that we do not have to have it all figured out, nor are we expected to be perfect. Paul continues on by saying, “But I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own” (Philippians 3:12).

Paul says, “I am not perfect, but I press on to make it my own!” In other words, Paul owned his walk with Jesus, and he owned his ministry for Jesus. This is a key factor for everyone who is called into the ministry. God has called us to OWN it for Him. When a person is not owning their area of ministry, it is a clear indicator that they need to repent, and return to their first love, or move on and find another area of ministry to serve the Lord in, or possibly find something else to do in life outside of ministry.

6. We have been called to GIVE GOD OUR VERY BEST (Romans 10:11)

I believe that it is imperative that we give God our very best in all things and at all times. In simple terms, I believe we are called to strive for excellence when we serve the Lord. The Bible exhorts us to, “Never be lazy, but work hard, and serve the Lord enthusiastically” (Romans 12:11). 

7. We have been called to Build others up (Ephesians 4:11-12)

​My philosophy behind developing leaders is inspired by Ephesians 4:11-12, which is to equip the saints for the work of the ministry. Because I have a deep concern for the spiritual development of God’s people, I am regularly and purposefully involved with the lives of those seeking to grow deeper in their walk with Jesus. It is my goal to make disciples, who in turn make disciples. I simply love to invest in others and build people up in the Lord, and then encouraging them to go and do likewise. 

​We have been called to focus our efforts on God’s Mission (Matthew 28:18-20): Everything we do in ministry should be focused upon accomplishing the mission that Jesus has given to us, which is to make disciples, who in turn make disciples.

I am a firm believer in this type of ministry dynamic. I believe team environments, where members of the team are all operating in their strengths and talents is healthy for the team, the body, and I believe this is how God designed us to operate in order to be most effective for His people (1 Peter 4:10-11), and as His people (1 Corinthians 12:18). I also believe as we operate in our area of giftedness that God has designed us with, we will experience the greatest sense of fulfillment in our lives (Ephesians 2:10), and He will bear the most fruit through our lives (Matthew 25:14-23; John 15:16).